A5017048664- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Plant and animal studies
- Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Agronomic Practices and Intercropping Systems
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Forest ecology and management
- Biological Control of Invasive Species
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Leaf Properties and Growth Measurement
- Psidium guajava Extracts and Applications
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life Management
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Botanical Research and Chemistry
- Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Tree Root and Stability Studies
Stellenbosch University
2016-2025
South African National Biodiversity Institute
2016
University of the Free State
2016
Abstract Non‐native plants often alter environments they invade, favouring their own performance through positive feedbacks. Plant–soil interactions represent one such mechanism, but complexity (e.g. invader‐induced changes in soil nutrients, microbial communities, etc.) makes inferences of the precise mechanisms that benefit invaders difficult. Here we aimed to determine: (1) whether invasion by Australian acacias (genus Acacia Mill.) nitrogen‐fixing rhizobial community diversity and...
Eucalyptus camaldulensis can be seen as an iconic tree of superlatives. It is the eucalypt with widest native range, and one most widely planted eucalypts around globe. In South Africa, it widespread aggressively invasive eucalypt. has many uses, but also causes major impacts. However, little known about key aspects its ecology in including invasion history, processes dynamics, people's perceptions positive negative effects on ecosystems. Such knowledge crucial for developing robust...
Abstract To reduce the negative impacts of invasive plants, management interventions such as control or eradication are usually necessary. It is often assumed that plants will diminish immediately after interventions. However, in some cases invader can have legacy effects soil might persist for long periods, preventing natural restoration areas managed. Therefore, to achieve re‐establishment a functional native ecosystem it important understand how legacies soil. This paper explores this...
The ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen is thought play an important role in the invasion success of legumes. Interactions between legumes and nitrogen-fixing bacteria (rhizobia) span a continuum specialization, promiscuous are have higher chances forming effective symbioses novel ranges. Using Australian Acacia species South Africa, it was hypothesized that widespread highly invasive will be more generalist their rhizobial symbiotic requirements fixing compared with localized less...
Coastal dunes are ecosystems of high conservation value that strongly impacted by human disturbances and biological invasions in many parts the world. Here, we assessed how urbanization Carpobrotus edulis invasion affect soil bacterial communities on north-western coast Spain, comparing diversity, structure composition invaded uninvaded soils from urban natural coastal dune areas. Our results suggest contain large numbers rare taxa, mainly belonging to phyla Actinobacteria Proteobacteria. We...
The need to understand and manage biological invasions has driven the development of frameworks circumscribe, classify, elucidate aspects phenomenon. But how influential have these really been? To test this, we evaluated impact a pathway classification framework, framework focussing on introduction-naturalisation-invasion continuum, two papers that outline an framework. We analysed are cited by whom, conducted survey determine why people frameworks, explored degree which implemented. four...
Abstract The patchy distribution of trees typical savannas often results in a discontinuous water, nutrient resources, and microbial communities soil, commonly referred to as “islands fertility”. We assessed how this phenomenon may affect the establishment impact invasive plants, using invasion Opuntia stricta South Africa’s Kruger National Park case study. established uninvaded O. -invaded plots under most common woody tree species study area ( Vachellia nilotica subsp. kraussiana...
The detection of two alien species spreading in natural ecosystems, namely Berberis julianae and aristata, prompted investigation into the risk that they pose as invasive plants to South Africa. Here we determined their distribution Africa, assessed population structure reproductive size, seed germinability, evaluated risks posed by conducting weed assessments, provide recommendations for control. We also extent current historic cultivation. B.julianae was found be widely cultivated while...
Rooibos tea, Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.), represents one of South Africa's most important indigenous crops, and monotypic plantations are rapidly replacing wild populations. Dwindling rooibos populations may drastically reduce possible, but hitherto overlooked, natural resources to bolster commercial productivity long-term sustainability. Here, using next generation sequencing data, we seek determine whether cultivation impacts on the diversity community structure mutualistic nitrogen...
Mutualisms can be disrupted when non-native plants are introduced into novel environments, potentially impacting their establishment success. Introduced species reassemble mutualisms by forming associations with resident biota or maintaining familiar they co-introduced mutualists. Invasive Australian Acacia in South Africa have formed nitrogen-fixing rhizobium using both pathways. Here we examined the contributions of vs rhizobial to performance saligna across different soils within Africa’s...
Numerous eucalypts (species in the genera Eucalyptus, Angophora and Corymbia) have been introduced to South Africa over past two centuries. Several species become naturalized or invasive are focus of control programmes. Because many difficult identify field, distribution patterns country poorly documented. A recent assessment E. camaldulensis highlighted invasion hotspots Africa: Western Cape, Modimolle region southwestern Limpopo. Records for all (many which list only "Eucalyptus sp.") show...
Invasive alien plants cause major environmental and economic impacts preventing the establishment spread of emerging invaders is crucial. Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa) well established as a widespread invader in number countries, notably USA New Zealand, was recently detected invading riparian ecosystems South Africa's Western Cape Province. We review introduction history, current distribution invasion potential (via species risk analysis) Africa, collate information on its biology, options...
The impacts of invasive plants on ecosystem processes and functions may persist as "legacy effects" after their removal. Understanding these effects native plant-soil interactions is critical for guiding ecological restoration efforts. This study examines the legacy legume Acacia saligna (Labill.) H.L. Wendl. in South Africa's Cape Fynbos to evaluate potential post-removal. We compared cleared, invaded, uninvaded reference sites across three conservation areas, examining soil chemical...